Laurel Greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia)

Family: Smilacaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Smilax laurifolia is an evergreen Climber growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in starch, it can be dried and ground into a powder to be used as a flavouring in soups etc or for making bread. — Rich in starch, it can be dried and ground into a powder to be used as a flavouring in soups etc or for making bread.; The root can be up to 15cm thick.; Young shoots - cooked.; Used as an asparagus substitute.

Habitat & North American Range

Swamps and low ground. Moist woods and thickets. Bays, bogs, pocosins, swamp margins, marshy banks. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)